Unison (The Spheral) (15 page)

Tyrus seemed assuaged by my statement, so I decided to push further. “If it’s authenticated, the Overseer believes we’ll be able to cure fetuses of the scourge before they're transferred out of their gestation vessels.”

“Would that be possible?” he asked.

“Depends on my success in locating COR.”

“How far along are you?”

“Far enough to know we still have a long way to go.” I laughed, recalling the last time I said that to Tyrus.

“Maybe it’s for the best. I warned Kai that man isn’t meant to rule over nature, but he thinks it’s our destiny to do so. Do you agree?”

Tyrus’s seventh glass of wine led to greater insights about Flora. Right then I knew Tyrus viewed me similarly: the inventor who cares more for his invention than the people whom he claims he wants to help. “I agree with your first impression of me.”

“Why? You’re serving Unity well.”

I stood. “You’ll change your true opinion of me very soon.” I walked away, knowing what I had to do—the only thing I could do to make things right.

I returned to my lab, pretending to do some extra work on COR. With Kai’s higher clearance, I could access the main database through his computer. I snuck into the office after his temporary replacement left for his lunch break and was relieved he hadn’t signed out. It’s not unusual as Unitians at my level don’t achieve purple sleeve unless they display complete devotion to their mentor. When I opened up my personnel file, I discovered how they made certain I was the right candidate to consider for purple sleeve.

After I passed out by the crail stop, I was first taken to a reintegration center and placed inside a simulation. While walking with the Overseer, Kai stepped out of a crowd and was about to shoot him. I threw myself in front of the plazer beam’s path, saving the Overseer’s life. After they finished testing me, they returned me to the hospital where I awoke with no memory of what transpired.

I located a file called
Harmony for All
and opened it. It was a private memo the Overseer sent to the Chosen. He approved their edict to transmit Harmony to every Unitian, without their consent. The image of Wade lying dead at the bottom of the ridge affected me more now than when it first happened.
You warned me, and I didn’t listen. I hear you now, my friend…and so will the Overseer and his purple herd. They’ll all pay for what they’ve done to you.

I uploaded a security camera network map into my holologue and a file on the last Striker attack, complete with the schematics of the pulse bomb that failed to detonate. I then headed to the lab where I got a vial of escape and three syringes. When I returned to my loft, I made three darts using the needles from the syringes and fused them into cotton buds. I never would’ve considered that something I used to clean my ears could turn into a deadly delivery system, and I had the Striker who set the pulse bomb to thank. A box of these lethal darts was found in his loft, and he intended to use them to assassinate the Overseer during his next assembly. No wonder Kai was desperate for the Overseer’s speech to sway public opinion.

I tested the darts and was satisfied my scheme would work. I rubbed some escape powder on the tips of the darts that were coated with toothpaste. The dose was enough to knock someone out without killing them.

My weapon was lethal, but not as practical as a plazer, which I’d need after I left Unity. If everything went according to plan, leaving wouldn’t be as easy as being handed a plazer at out-processing and hearing a cheery access guard say, “While our border guards keep our sector safe for your enjoyment, please remain vigilant over possible contact with Outsiders. Should one approach you, immediately report to the outer-patrol station for assistance. Fire your weapon if that’s your only option. Thank you for your cooperation and enjoy your vacation.”

According to the security camera network map, there was a blind spot between one to three meters away from each crail stop. I headed to the service parish where there was less traffic due to the lack of essential shops and satiation centers. I scuffed the floor with the bottom of my shoe to mark the area and hid behind the corner of a building where I waited, growing more nervous with each passing moment. If I missed my target and was discovered, they’d put me through so many reintegration treatments I wouldn’t be recognizable to my present self, which I no longer recognized either.
Who am I?
Everything that defined me died along with Flora.

To pass the time, I read one of her stories on my holologue. They were written while she was still in school. I was surprised to discover them as Flora never told me she wrote. The story I read was about a space adventurer who lived on a planet ruled by women.
How very Flora,
I thought to myself when the captain—who, of course, was female—visited Earth and plotted to liberate Unity with the aid of the Strikers. I became deeply engrossed when I got to the part where the captain, who was never named, was about to take down the Overseer with a weapon that was only lethal to those who killed innocent people. My reading was interrupted when a Unity Guard came to patrol. No one else was around, and I readied my weapon.

When the guard stepped between the markers, I blew into the straw and nailed him on the arm. He collapsed, and I ran over to check his pulse. Satisfied he’d be okay, I grabbed his plazer and left. This was the easy part. I spent the next four nights orchestrating my farewell gift to Unity.

The night before Kai was due back, I received notice that I won the nomination to purple sleeve. All the nonsensical and misguided dreams I wished to accomplish at this level were brought to the surface. I tried to drown them in liquor and when that failed, I headed to the pleasure room where I emptied out Kai’s gift card with several rounds of mystery date.

When the announcer called my name, a group of eager Unitians crowded around me.

“Please…” I pushed my palms forward to stop the crowd from gathering around me. “Save your credits. I’m not functioning at optimum tonight.”

The wisest among the group announced he wasn’t betting on a drunk man and headed to the cribbage table with a few others. For those who placed their bets on me, I kept silent and took comfort in knowing I wouldn’t be the only loser tonight.

As I sat in the dark waiting for my date, I finally understood what Master Franklin told me when I wanted to tell the Chosen about my visions.

The Sacred Oath is the enemy. Like a ghost, it can’t be seen, but its presence is always felt. It rules us through our complacency and blind loyalty. People like you are a threat to its continuance. It never gives up until we surrender to it, and we always do. You must never surrender, Damon.

I surrendered, and I had only just noticed. Master Franklin’s words continued to loop in my mind until the door opened.

“Have a seat,” I said.

The fragrance of musk floated in with my mystery date.

“Hope you didn’t bet too much tonight because I just found out I’m a loser.” I rolled up my promotion notice that I carried around with me all day.

The cushion lowered when my date sat beside me. I wanted to tell her to leave, but I didn’t want to be alone.

“A few promotions and the accolades that followed kept it hidden from me for a while.” I crumpled up the notice and tossed it into the darkness. “I’m too tired to fight the truth because it’s screaming loudly, and it hurts. It hurts so much I want to go deaf, but the screaming isn’t coming from outside. It’s inside my head.” I laughed. “There’s no escaping.’’

I felt a burning in my eyes, and my mystery date took hold of my hand. This small act of compassion surprised me.

“You’re more effective than a curate.” I laughed quietly. “Nothing slocking makes sense here, and we purple sleeves—I include myself because I was just nominated—make the least sense in all of Unity. Existing in our own individually created realities, we think we’re smart enough, superior enough to know what’s best for you and everyone else.”

I placed my hand around the back of my date’s head, gently pulled her towards me and whispered in her ear. “Want to hear a secret?”

She squeezed my hand tighter, and I heard her breath quicken.

“We don’t know a damned thing more than you, and we sure as hell don’t know more than an Outsider.” I leaned my head back against the wall and wept, knowing Flora’s death led me to this enlightening moment. “We don’t know anything.”

My date embraced me in her arms like an Overmaiden would an infant, and she stroked my hair. We sat like this for the rest of the round, and I immediately recognized her when it was time to make my selection. She was the only one with an empathetic sadness in her eyes. I won the round, and everyone cheered, especially my date who bet half her pay on this win. She earned every credit. I hadn’t felt such peace in days.

I lured Kai to my loft by telling him I was close to discovering COR’s frequency. Less than an hour later he was on my couch. When he put his feet on the coffee table, he knocked over my violin bow and made no attempt to pick it up. I was unfazed. His brazenness would make the presentation of my gift more memorable and satisfying. By the time our meeting adjourned, Kai would know exactly what I thought about him.

“Before we get down to business, how are you feeling…
Master
Damon?” Kai grinned. “Have you prepared your induction speech yet?”

I gathered my bow and placed it on the coffee table. “Thanks to Harmony, I feel as calm as I did before Flora killed herself.” I sat beside Kai, threw my feet on the coffee table, and crossed my hands behind my head. “I needed some external stimulation last night, so I went to the pleasure room and had the most arousing and healing encounter with a yellow sleeve.” I smiled recounting the memory. “When we got back here
Danielle
continued her unique therapy…all night.”

Kai cleared his throat. “I would also like to offer my counsel, although it won’t be as unique as your friend from last night.” He laughed and then cleared his throat when I didn’t laugh with him. “I—along with all the Corporate Hierarchy, acknowledge your pain. We’re here to support you during the healing process. Should you need any—”

I clapped my hands. “That was one of the most convincing performances I’ve ever witnessed. You would’ve been more believable if your eyes didn’t shift slightly to the right whenever you lie.”

Kai removed his feet from the coffee table and sat up. “Flora’s death is obviously having an adverse effect on your emotional health. I recommend a visit to a curate for—”

“I’ve made some interesting observations over the last few days. Many of them made me realize I wasted a lot of time doing a lot of nothing.”

“The confusion you’re feeling is—”

“A part of who I am,” I sat up. “All my emotions define who I am. As do all my doubts and opinions.” I leaned towards Kai and positioned my face in front of his. “I’m not a machine. I’m Damon.” I tapped my finger on my chest. “Damon. Is that easy enough for you to understand, or should I write it down for you?”

Kai narrowed his eyes. “You don’t have COR’s frequency…do you?”

I smiled. “Even if I did, I’d never reveal it to you,
Kai
.”

“Why did you call me here?”

“Did you want Flora for yourself? Is that why you wanted me to leave her?” I asked.

“Ah, I see what this is about—”

“Do you really? I find it hard to believe that you can figure out anything on your own. Every good idea you’ve had lately came from me.”

Kai kept calm, but he failed to mask the anger in his eyes. “Emotional responses are a reaction to our misinterpreting the boundaries of our relationships. Once we attach ourselves too seriously to a relationship, our judgment becomes impaired, and we display inappropriate behavior as you're doing now.”

“Is there anything you haven’t plagiarized? I read that in the medical encyclopedia filed under B for
brainless
disease.” I picked up my violin bow. “We’re in a symphony conducted by a psychopath and performed by blind idealists.”

Kai’s voice grew louder. “The only thing that’s keeping me from demoting you to green sleeve is you’re my First. Anyone else would’ve been handed a reprimand followed by a visit to reintegration for speaking to me with such disrespect.”